Andrew Greaves: Winning ugly was key for Clarets

It’s the sign of a good side when you can pick up three points even when you're not at your best.

And that is exactly what we did on Saturday against a Leeds United side who were physical but offered little else.

After the unbelieveable high of last weekend’s derby win over you know who, it would have been typical for us to take our eye off the ball.

But such is the determination of this group of players that we have secured a further four points in our quest for the Premier League.

It was disappointing midweek to leave Birmingham City with just a point after leading three times but we can't be too greedy, any point picked up away from home is a welcome one.

On Saturday we were a little slow getting going and it took a while for full debutant Ashley Barnes to strike up a partnership with the ever-impressive Sam Vokes.

Leeds took the lead through Ross McCormack’s superb header.

The Clarets did eventually warm to the task and an own goal from Jason Pearce, who turned a superb Kieran Trippier cross through the legs of Jack Butland to momentarily quieten the large away following.

We needed a better second half performance and we got one, the Clarets pouring forward but finding their route to goal blocked by a resolute Leeds United back line.

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But Scott Arfield did fire in what turned out to be the winner 23 minutes from time.

The Scot, who would probably be my player of the season if taking Vokes and the missing Danny Ings out of the equation, fired an angled drive past Butland at the second attempt.

Leeds, who had shipped nine goals in their last two games, didn’t really offer much in the way of a response and the Clarets ran out comfortable winners. Seven points from three games in a week is an impressive return and the gap between ourselves and Derby – who again failed to score – and QPR is ten points with ten to play.

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It isn’t over until the fat lady sings – and all the talk at the Turf will be about taking each game at a time - but surely she's warming her vocal chords.

Our task is simple – keep picking up points and that should see us over the line!

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Comments (4)

10 games to go. 5 home: Doncaster, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Ipswich. 5 away: Charlton, Watford, Barnsley, Blackpool, Reading. 12 points from the remaining games would see us on 85 points, likely to be good enough this season for a 2nd place finish and automatic promotion. 3 wins and 3 draws out of those games will give us the 12 points, but I can't see us losing 4 games. 5 wins and 2 draws out of the final 10 games and we're on 90 points. If we can achieve that (17 points) from those final 10 games then QPR would have to go on an amazing run with a return of 28 points from 11 games to better us, given our vastly superior goal difference. The same applies to Derby however they have 10 games to do it in.

10 games to go.
5 home: Doncaster, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Ipswich.
5 away: Charlton, Watford, Barnsley, Blackpool, Reading.
12 points from the remaining games would see us on 85 points, likely to be good enough this season for a 2nd place finish and automatic promotion. 3 wins and 3 draws out of those games will give us the 12 points, but I can't see us losing 4 games.
5 wins and 2 draws out of the final 10 games and we're on 90 points. If we can achieve that (17 points) from those final 10 games then QPR would have to go on an amazing run with a return of 28 points from 11 games to better us, given our vastly superior goal difference. The same applies to Derby however they have 10 games to do it in.Super_Clarets

10 games to go. 5 home: Doncaster, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Ipswich. 5 away: Charlton, Watford, Barnsley, Blackpool, Reading. 12 points from the remaining games would see us on 85 points, likely to be good enough this season for a 2nd place finish and automatic promotion. 3 wins and 3 draws out of those games will give us the 12 points, but I can't see us losing 4 games. 5 wins and 2 draws out of the final 10 games and we're on 90 points. If we can achieve that (17 points) from those final 10 games then QPR would have to go on an amazing run with a return of 28 points from 11 games to better us, given our vastly superior goal difference. The same applies to Derby however they have 10 games to do it in.

Score: 5

FCBurnley says...6:49pm Mon 17 Mar 14

At the moment we need 24 points to be mathematically sure of promotion. Of course are rivals are highly unlikely to win all their remaining games so in all probability we will need considerably less than 24. Not sure 12 points will be enough. My only worries right now are the injury ti Ings who is massive for our team and a potential 2 match ban for Marney if he bets another booking. We are firm favorites but in sport anything can happen.

At the moment we need 24 points to be mathematically sure of promotion. Of course are rivals are highly unlikely to win all their remaining games so in all probability we will need considerably less than 24. Not sure 12 points will be enough. My only worries right now are the injury ti Ings who is massive for our team and a potential 2 match ban for Marney if he bets another booking. We are firm favorites but in sport anything can happen.FCBurnley

At the moment we need 24 points to be mathematically sure of promotion. Of course are rivals are highly unlikely to win all their remaining games so in all probability we will need considerably less than 24. Not sure 12 points will be enough. My only worries right now are the injury ti Ings who is massive for our team and a potential 2 match ban for Marney if he bets another booking. We are firm favorites but in sport anything can happen.

Score: 3

George Oghani's Ironing Board says...7:03am Tue 18 Mar 14

Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTID

Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTIDGeorge Oghani's Ironing Board

Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTID

Score: 3

Champagne plus charlie says...9:52am Tue 18 Mar 14

George Oghani's Ironing Board wrote…

Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTID

Nicely put.

[quote][p][bold]George Oghani's Ironing Board[/bold] wrote:
Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTID[/p][/quote]Nicely put.Champagne plus charlie

George Oghani's Ironing Board wrote…

Ever since I saw this kid Ings gives his boots to that young fan I kind of knew he was a class act,well done Son you deserve it. I've said this so many times lately but we give it out and have done over the years in spades so credit where it's due. However a few of you just have to try and get a reaction by mentioning our situation as usual, but this is genuine FROM ME and fair play to you I say. RTID

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